2015-2016 Faculty In-Service Handouthttps://tackk.com/w4468f

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Training information included in this document

1. Google update (including Google Classroom)

2. An introduction to CANVAS as a learning management system

3. Are you ready to SHMOOP?

4. Items for your students' digital backback

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a blended learning platform for schools that aims to simplify creating, distributing and grading assignments in a paperless way. Classroom is available free in AISD as a part of your Google Apps for Education, a free suite of productivity tools including Gmail, Docs, and Drive.

For the first time in AISD, your students will have an activated Gmail account that is linked to their Google Drive.

Classroom is designed to help teachers create and collect assignments paperlessly, including time-saving features like the ability to automatically make a copy of a Google document for each student. It also creates Drive folders for each assignment and for each student to help keep everyone organized.

Students can keep track of what’s due on the Assignments page and begin working with just a click. Teachers can quickly see who has or hasn't completed the work, and provide direct, real-time feedback and grades right in Classroom.

Watch a video about Classroom:

10 Things Your Students Need to KnowAbout Google Classroom

For the full text of this information, please click on the link below to be taken to the author's blog where you can access Alice Keeler's information completely. She is one of the leaders in all things Google for the classroom and the author of the book, 50 Things to Do With Google Classroom.

1) Ownership Changes

When you TURN IN an assignment the teacher becomes the owner of the document. You can not longer edit the document unless you unsubmit.

2) Assignment Listings

You can find a list of all your assignments from all of your teachers by clicking on the menu icon in the upper left hand corner.

3) There is an App

Google Classroom has a mobile app that lets you view your assignments and submit work from the app.

4) Documents Save Automatically

There is no save button on Google Docs. All edits are saved automatically so long as you are connected to the internet.

5) You Must Turn In Documents

Click on OPEN on the assignment in the assignment stream to choose “TURN IN.” Sharing documents is not the same as turning in the document.

6) Files are in Google Drive

You and the teacher will not lose assignments. Each assignment is saved in your Google Drive.

CANVAS as a Learning Management System

A learning management system, or LMS, is a way to simplify teaching and learningby connecting all the digital tools teachers use in one easy place.

Our students use Blackboard in many of their dual credit classes so they are familiar with the basics of a learning management system. CANVAS is our district's provided LMS and is similar to Blackboard in many respects. I actually prefer it over Blackboard for it's ease of use and robust list of options.

So, what is CANVAS?

Let's take a quick look at how to access some CANVAS resources that you can examine more closely on your own schedule later. First, you will need to know how to access your AISD Canvas log-in and use your Active Directory username and password to log-in.

Notice first the "Browse Courses" link on this screen. Let's go there first before we log-in. By the way, did you notice that we are at a district version of Canvas? That's a pretty neat security measure.

You will be taken to a variety of self-paced courses that can be used for individualized training in how to leverage CANVAS' many features for your classroom. Picture yourself on your patio or deck, feet propped up, something tasty to drink -- all ready to learn. I would really recommend to course entitled "Introduction to Canvas (Self-Paced)" if you are completely new to CANVAS or want to refresh what you have learned at an earlier training.

Last of all, Improved Parent/Student Communication

Many classroom management issues can become "non-issues" by improving parent and student communication. Technology and social media have made that incredibly easy. Consider these two options (among many) for getting the word out.